Major Flood
29 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
20 ft
Minor Flood
18 ft
Action Stage
16 ft
What Floods at Each Level
30 ft
Most business and buildings in Clay next to the river are flooded. Major flooding occurring.
29 ft
Route 16 in Clay starts to flood. Some business in town are flooded. Several sections of Elkhurst/Elk River Road and some camps near the river are flooded.
25 ft
The low end of the vacant car dealership, hardware store, more homes in Pisgah section, and in the northern end of Clay are flooded. Sections of Elkhurst/Elk River Road and some camps near the river are flooded.
20 ft
Homes in the Pisgah section of Clay, and a few homes on the north side of Clay are flooded between 20 and 22 feet. Sections of Elkhurst/Elk River Road are flooded.
18 ft
Water floods some basements near and downstream from the Pisgah Pridge. Sections of Elkhurst/Elk River Road start to flood.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 1918 | 32.4 ft | -9,999 cfs |
| Dec 31, 1860 | 31 ft | — |
| Jun 23, 2016 | 30.3 ft | 93,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Elk River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Elk River at Clay?
The Elk River at Clay gauge is maintained by USGS (site 03196800) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Elk River at Clay?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Elk River at Clay is 18 feet. Action stage begins at 16 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 20 feet, and major flooding at 29 feet.
How do I get alerts when Elk River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Elk River at Clay to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Elk River at Clay gauge located?
The gauge is located in Clay County, West Virginia at coordinates 38.4607°N, 81.0884°W. USGS site number: 03196800. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Elk River
On This River
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- River Forecasts typically include ONLY 2 days of future rain from <u>forecast issuance time</u> (lower right of graph). Occasionally 3 days of future rain included.